Historically women have been excluded from the domain of science since antiquity. Women were viewed as lacking the attributes necessary to carry out rational thought. However, women such as American astronomer Maria Mitchell in the 19th century during her tenure as Professor of Astronomy at Vasser College in the United States may have been the first scientist to utilize inquiry-based science instruction. During the 20th century an elementary teacher named Vivian Coulter was one of the first teachers at an elementary school in the Midwestern United States to utilize the learning cycle which is a form of structured inquiry-based science instruction. This led to a partnership with the University of Oklahoma that has led the learning cycle to be disseminated to many school districts in the Midwestern United States.
References
[1]
Bergland, R. (2008). Maria Mitchell and the sexing of science: An astronomer among the American romantics. Boston: Beacan Press.
[2]
Fara, P. (2004). Pandora’s breeches: Women, science and power in the enlightenment. London: Pimlico.
[3]
Marek, E., & Cavallo, A. (1997). The learning cycle: Elementary school and beyond. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemenn.
[4]
Marek, E., & Laubach, T. (2007). Bridging the gap between theory and practice: A success story from science education. (M. Gordon & T. V. O’Brien Eds.). Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
[5]
Marek, E. (2009). Genesis and evolution of the learning cycle (Vol. 1, W. Roth & K. Tobin Eds.). Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
[6]
Roller, D. (1970). Has science a climate? The Sunday Oklahoman, p.x.
[7]
Rossiter, M. (1982). Women scientists in America: Struggles and strategies to 1940. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
[8]
Scheibinger, L. (1989). The mind has no sex: Women and the origins of modern science. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
[9]
Shearer, B., & Shearer, B. (1997). Notable women in the physical sciences. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
[10]
Tobias, S., & Duffy, T. (2009). Constructivist instruction: Success or failure? New York: Routledge.
